What is Classical Christian Education?

Education is completely theological. It is the passing on of a way of life from one generation to another. It can never be neutral or fragmented. It is integrated and comprehensive, with God at the center. All education has bias, and the biases at Legacy Academy are toward Scripture, truth, and moral discernment as reflected in the history of Western Civilization, where Christianity  began, grew, and flourished.

Classical Christian education starts with the parents who are the primary educators. The Bible clearly instructs parents, not the church or state, to “bring children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Classical Christian teachers serve in loco parentis to reinforce, compliment, and enhance what children learn at home and church.

Classical Christian education teaches a carefully thought-out and integrated curriculum to provide a solid foundation in understanding Scripture, seeking truth, and building proficiency in the tools of learning. We believe that God’s character is revealed not only in His Word, but also in every facet of the creation. Therefore, we teach that all knowledge is interrelated and can instruct us about God Himself. We teach our curriculum and primary doctrine confidently.

Classical Christian education cultivates a Christian worldview in students. Resting on the certainty of Scripture, we build a system of beliefs and a framework of values that will enable students to think rightly, i.e. Scripturally, about the world around them.

Classical Christian education is counter to the postmodern view of education, as the latter is reflective of a culture of media, TV, computer gaming, the Internet, and film. This entertainment culture creates a distortion of who we are to be and how we attain that sense of “being.” The ways, means, and ends of postmodern culture are at odds with Biblical wisdom. It teaches a selfish, internal bias, rather than a joyful, contented, and others-directed bias. Classical education is not entertainment, but thoughtful discourse, logically, and persuasively communicated under the authority of Scripture. Our bias is toward language and the written word.

Classical Christian education is about cultivating character in students, enabling graduates to make proper moral decisions, and thoughtful, right responses in a sinful, fallen world. It sharpens their moral instincts and God-given abilities, and builds confidence in their leadership skills while inspiring a desire to serve selflessly. We desire for our students to be servant leaders.

Classical Christian education desires students who love God with their minds, as well as with hearts, souls, and strength (Matt. 22:37). Therefore, we seek to individually challenge children at all levels and teach them how to learn, by using the centuries-old, proven classical method, incorporating instruction in Latin. We seek to encourage quality academic work and maintain high standards of conduct. This includes biblical discipline principles.

Classical Christian education builds a lifelong love of learning. By developing, repeating, and refining the understanding and application of the tools of learning, it trains the mind to reason carefully, to be critical yet gracious, to argue but not bicker, to be morally discerning but not judgmental. It is not about a job or a skill set; it is about how to live life, and life eternal.

Classical Christian education builds understanding and wisdom in students through the examination of the great events and great ideas of Western culture, the culture in which Christianity began, grew, and flourished. It is thoughtful, sophisticated, and eloquent, and examines prevailing schools of thought, searching for truth and beauty, with a profound appreciation for God’s sovereign control over all of history. It provides the foundation from which students can, with confidence, explore and critique other cultures, philosophies, religions, and ideas.

Classical Christian education is unafraid of modernity. We teach logic, science, and math as languages to understand God’s creation. Technology is a tool, not a destination. Technology, to be used properly, requires wisdom, creativity, problem solving, and ethical judgments. Technology changes and is superseded by new technology, but the critical thinking skills to understand a problem and effectively leverage the newest innovations come from developing confidence in the tools of learning and in making right decisions to God’s glory.